Not everyone reads through album liner notes, but if you’re one of the people that do, you already know that the sounds of Bill Ortiz’s trumpet have graced some of your favorite records. He works and tours with the legendary Carlos Santana. He’s recorded with Tony Toni Tone, TLC, and Destiny’s Child, just to name a few, and his latest album, Highest Wish, features appearances from underground hip-hop heavyweights Casual, The Grouch, and Zumbi from Zion I.

This week, I caught up with Ortiz to find out more about Highest Wish, how it represents his ideals, and the way in which he feels every form of music he performs is related. Ortiz also told some highly entertaining tour stories, which included revealing the R&B group you should never challenge to a snowball fight.